Brexit warning: Argentina to pressure EU into new talks to get control over Falklands

ARGENTINA will pressure the European Union into new talks to get control of the Falklands now the bloc no longer recognises overseas territories under British rule after Brexit.

Brexit: Argentina to 'push EU for negotiation' says Filmus

The Falkland Islands were excluded from trade deals between the United Kingdom and the and will not be part of any commercial, tax or customs agreements negotiated. This decision was perceived as a victory for Argentina but the South American nation’s ambitions are seen as a threat by Falkland Island residents who fear their needs will not be listened to. Speaking to Al Jazeera English, Daniel Filmus, Secretary of affairs pertaining to the Malvinas (the Latin American name for the Falkland's) said: “We are still in the early stages after but Europe has signalled a change in its position on the islands.

“There was a similar case at the UN on the Chagos Archipelago (a British overseas territory in the Indian Ocean).”

In May 2019 the UK lost a United Nations vote of 114-6 on its ownership of the Chagos Archipelago and now has six months to return the island to Mauritius.

The Chagos Archipelago are a group of 7 atolls 500 kilometres off Mauritius and include more than 60 tropical islands which contain a US military base.

Hungary was the only EU country to vote in favour of the U.K. in that vote.

brexit news argentina falklands daniel fimus

Brexit news: Daniel Filmus suggested Argentina could not push the EU into changing its position (Image: AL JAZEERA)

Location

Map of the Falkland Islands (Image: Getty Images)

The pressure from Argentina comes as the Falkland's face heavy export tariffs to Europe.

No overseas territories were allowed to vote in the Brexit referendum despite being heavily impacted by these tariff changes.

On fish and squid alone these tariffs to Europe stand at between 6 percent and 18 percent.

The agriculture industry on the islands which is mostly fishing and sheepherding accounts for 95 percent of the island's economy so the tariffs impact the local economy heavily.

Falklands ‘want to keep opportunities flowing’ says expert

Fishing boat in Falklands

View from the harbour towards the city MS Portegat (Image: Getty Images)

As well as demanding control of the Falkland Islands Argentina has also said the South Georgia Islands and the South Sandwich Island's belong to them.

Both the South Georgia Islands and the South Sandwich Islands are British overseas territories which Britain have ruled since 1775 and 1908 respectively.

They sit about 1300km west of the Falkland Islands.

The collection of islands are inhospitable.

DON'T MISS: 
Third Covid wave 'inevitable' in autumn as virus is 'here to stay' [ANALYSIS]
Brexit LIVE: Crunch week ahead for Brussels as Boris refuses to cave [INSIGHT] 
Japan sounds alarm over ‘distinct’ new Covid variant [REVEALED]

falkland islands uk argentina graphic

The Falklands have been at the centre of a heated dispute between the UK and Argentina for decades (Image: EXPRESS.CO.UK)

The sovereignty dispute over the South Atlantic islands led to the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina in 1982.

The conflict lasted for 74 days and left almost 1,000 dead.

Despite losing the Falkland’s War Argentina continues to demand that the islands are theirs which were inherited from the Spanish colonial rule.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?